Maurice Holmes

THOMASVILLE — Thomasville Police officers strongly encourage residents to call 911 at the slightest feeling something “is not just right.”

“If you see something suspicious and have a feeling something’s not right, it probably is not,” said Capt. Maurice Holmes, Thomasville Police Department Criminal Investigations Division commander.

Residents with suspicions should call police and allow them to investigate. Callers can remain anonymous.

Holmes said it is vital for police to identify suspects and begin an investigation on the front end, versus having to catch up.

It is preferable to catch someone when they are about to commit a crime, not when an offense was just committed, said Sgt. Toby Knifer, assistant CID commander.

In a weekend residential burglary in which jewelry worth a significant amount, a shoe collection and clothing were taken, three males riding bicycles were seen near the house. Police were not notified until after the teens were seen a second time with backpacks.

Two of the teens, ages 14 and 16, were arrested a short time later. A third suspect, 15, remains at large. The 15-year-old was wearing an ankle monitor that shows he was present at the crime scene. The backpacks contained items stolen at the house.

To date this year, Thomasville has had 85 burglaries and 50 entering autos.

Thomasville does not have a lot of violent crimes, but property crimes are on the increase, Holmes said.

“We want to have a partnership with the community,” he said. “Citizens can be the eyes and ears of the police.”

Holmes and Knifer think the crimes are being committed predominantly by juveniles. As the end of the school year approaches, crimes committed by juveniles are increasing, officers said.

“And we feel there is a possibly it will continue to increase,” the commander said.

Residents are not inconveniencing police by calling, Knifer said. 

“That’s what we’re here for,” he added. “Let us decide if a crime has been committed or is about to be committed.”

Senior reporter Patti Dozier can be reached at (229) 226-2400, ext. 1820